Integrated Soil-Crop System Management: Reducing Environmental Risk while Increasing Crop Productivity and Improving Nutrient Use Efficiency in China

TLDR

Chinese cereal production has tripled from 1961 to 2007, feeding 22 % of the world’s population on only 9 % of arable land, yet environmental costs have risen and yields have stagnated since 1996 while demand grows. The study aims to develop sustainable solutions that lower environmental risk while boosting crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency over the next five decades. Integrated soil‑crop system management (ISSM) is proposed, combining soil quality improvements, coordinated nutrient resource use to match crop demands, and integration of soil and nutrient practices with high‑yielding cultivation systems. Field trials demonstrate that ISSM significantly raises yields, enhances nutrient use efficiency, and mitigates environmental risk.

Abstract

During the past 47 yr (1961–2007), Chinese cereal production has increased by 3.2-fold, successfully feeding 22% of the global human population with only 9% of the world's arable land, but at high environmental cost and resource consumption. Worse, crop production has been stagnant since 1996 while the population and demand for food continue to rise. New advances for sustainability of agriculture and ecosystem services will be needed during the coming 50 yr to reduce environmental risk while increasing crop productivity and improving nutrient use efficiency. Here, we advocate and develop integrated soil–crop system management (ISSM). In this approach, the key points are (i) to take all possible soil quality improvement measures into consideration, (ii) to integrate the utilization of various nutrient resources and match nutrient supply to crop requirements, and (iii) to integrate soil and nutrient management with high-yielding cultivation systems. Recent field experiments have shed light on how ISSM can lead to significant increases in crop yields while increasing nutrient use efficiency and reducing environmental risk.